As the Erasmus+ ENG4VOL project reaches its final stage, project partners have officially presented the project's core outputs to local communities, civil protection experts, and volunteer organizations. In May and June 2026, Pompiers de l’Urgence Internationale (PUI) in France and the Hellenic Rescue Team of Attica (HRTA) in Greece hosted their respective Multiplier Events, bringing together key stakeholders to bridge European research with local operational reality.

France: Cross-Border Cooperation and NGO Synergy

Hosted by PUI, the French Multiplier Events were organized across two distinct sessions in Limoges and Déols, reaching a total of 25 participants across different sectors:

• Session 1 (May 2026, Limoges): Featured an in-depth technical exchange between French professional firefighters, local active rescue volunteers, and expert Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) rescuers from Türkiye, sharing real-world insights on earthquake response and crisis management.
• Session 2 (June 10, 2026, Chateauroux): Gathered leaders and volunteers from major French humanitarian rescue NGOs, including Pompiers Missions Humanitaire (PMH), Aides Actions Internationale Pompiers (AAIP), and PUI, to align on long-term retention strategies.

During these sessions, project representatives presented the State of the Art comparative research and the Lessons Learnt manual. The evaluation survey confirmed a strong agreement among participants (44% active first responders, 36% volunteer coordinators, and 20% policy makers) on the accuracy of the research regarding the barriers to volunteering, while highlighting Training & Qualification and Recruitment as the primary operational challenges facing civil protection today.

Greece: Interactive Engagement and Digital Innovation in Athens

On June 8, 2026, HRTA welcomed 25 participants to its headquarters in Palaio Faliro, Athens. The audience spanned a wide age demographic (from young volunteers to senior rescue trainers), alongside representatives of public bodies and local citizens.

Key highlights from the Greek Multiplier Event included:

• Presentation of Transnational Research: Insights from the ENG4VOL survey, covering 123 respondents across 10 European countries, with Greece strongly represented, were shared alongside the project's Lessons Learnt manual.
• Interactive Access to Tools: Participants engaged in a lively Kahoot quiz and scanned QR codes to gain immediate digital access to the newly translated Greek Pocket Guide.
• Community Dialogue: Attendees emphasized critical ground-level priorities: attracting and retaining youth, providing better access to rescue equipment without personal financial burden, strengthening formal recognition, and enhancing networking between volunteer organizations.

From European Research to Local Action

Across both nations, the Multiplier Events demonstrated that the challenges facing civil protection volunteers ranging from recruitment to retention and legal frameworks are shared across borders. By delivering actionable tools created "by volunteers, for volunteers", the ENG4VOL project continues to strengthen community resilience and support the heroes on the frontlines of disaster response.

Visit our Resources section to download the complete Lessons Learnt document and country-specific Pocket Guides!

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only.